Involvement of matricellular proteins in the dynamic interaction between tumour and host cells at Brunel University London on FindAPhD.com

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

Dr G Stenbeck, Dr Emmanouil Karteris Applications accepted all year round Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Add
to
shortlist

Remove
from
shortlist

London United Kingdom Cancer Biology Cell Biology Endocrinology Genetics Medical Physics Molecular Biology

About the Project

Tumour growth depends on the crosstalk between malignant and surrounding stromal cells (fibroblasts, osteoblasts, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells). Malignant cells secrete soluble proteins that reach neighbouring stromal cells, forcing them to provide a suitable 3D environment for their growth and spreading (metastasis). Different studies, including expression array analysis, identified the matricellular protein SPARC as a marker of poor prognosis in different types of cancer.

Growth factors, like TGFbeta and PTHrP, play a role in tumour progression by modulating protein expression. However, little is known of how these external factors modulate the intracellular trafficking machinery to stimulate secretion of matricellular proteins such as SPARC. The main aim of the project is to elucidate how aberrant growth factor signalling alters protein secretion.

To investigate the effects of TGFbeta and PTHrP on protein secretion, we plan to use tumour cells and primary osteoblastic cells known to naturally express SPARC. We will study secretion of endogenous SPARC by immunoprecipitation as well as by measuring secretion of Green Fluorescent Protein-SPARC chimerae in response to treatment with TGFbeta and PTHrP. TGFbeta and PTHrP signalling most likely stimulates GTP exchange factors (GEF) that are specific for the small GTPases of the ARF and Rab family. We will therefore study SPARC secretion before and after knockdown of selected GTP-exchange proteins with small interfering RNA.

Funding Notes

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.